Should Pregnant Women Avoid Taking Hot Baths?

What could be better than soaking in a nice, hot bath after a long hard day? For many women this is a great way to unwind and relax in the evening. Hot baths have been known to calm stress, relieve tension and quiet our minds. For many women, taking a hot bath may even be a part of their evening routine before getting into bed.

Because of this, many pregnant women avoid taking baths at all, but this doesn’t have to be the case. If pregnant women do decide to take baths, they need to be conscious of how hot the water is getting. In many homes, tankless water heaters can be a great way to regulate water temperature. A best tankless water heater for whole house can be adjusted to so that it doesn’t overheat past a certain temperature, which is ideal for taking baths. Even if you don’t have a tankless water heater at home, tank water heaters can still be adjusted to avoid overheating the water. Before you heat the water for your bath, make sure to check your water heater and ensure that the maximum temperature is set low enough.

It has been shown that a body temperature over 101 degrees Fahrenheit can have harmful effects on developing babies. Make sure that your tankless water heater is set to only heat up to a temperature that is below this. Also, be cognizant of the amount of time spent in the bath. Even if the water temperature is not very hot, soaking in the warm water for a long period of time can gradually raise the body temperature. Staying in the warm water for more than 10 minutes is usually not advised. Soaking in the warm water for longer than this may raise your temperature above the recommended temperature.

If you are pregnant, putting your baby at risk is the last thing that you want to do. And although soaking in a bath may sound peaceful and calming, especially when you are pregnant and your body is working constantly to take care of your baby, be aware of the risks that soaking in hot water can impose upon your growing child. Take into account how warm your water is getting and if you have a tankless water heater or a tank water heater, be sure to adjust the maximum temperature before you heat the water for your bath. This will ensure that your water heater doesn’t heat up too much, which will in turn keep you and your baby safe. Being aware of these factors will give you a greater sense of security. So if you are pregnant and thinking about jumping into a steaming hot bath tub, consider these risks and take the necessary actions to keep your baby safe.